Katy Lee - Silent Night Pursuit

RACE AGAINST TIME

Lacey Phillips believes Captain Wade Spencer knows something about her brother’s mysterious death. So she throws caution to the wind and tracks him down on Christmas Eve looking for answers. Wade tries to turn her away—until bullets start to fly. He doesn’t want to take the stubborn beauty on his life-or-death mission to find out the truth about how Wade’s past may have cost her brother his life. But with killers lurking everywhere, he has to protect her—especially when she breaches the walls around his heart. Can Wade and his faithful service dog keep Lacey alive long enough to figure out who’s targeting them?

ROADS TO DANGER: Family secrets resurface

“Someone is trying to kill you…

“If you knew that then,” Wade continued, “would you have stayed home?”

Lacey looked at him. “No. My brother’s dead. I won’t stop until I know why.”

“I already told you. Because of me.”

“Those guys out there weren’t sent by you. There’s more to the story. More than you even know.”

“The story of my life. Ever since I found out my mother’s aliases, I’ve been living that reality.”

“This is more than just finding out if your mother was a spy, isn’t it?” When Wade hesitated she said, “Please. We could be killed any second. Honesty is all we have left.”

He nodded. “But that’s all you’re going to get out of me. Talking only gets people killed. I get people killed.”

“But you rescued your sister—”

“Don’t.” He captured her gaze. His eyes glittered. “Don’t make me into some hero. I opened my mouth, and she was almost killed. And the next time, your brother paid the price.” His gaze darkened. “And if I can’t fix this, you’re next.”

KATY LEE writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader—from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. Visit Katy at katyleebooks.com.

Silent Night

Pursuit

Katy Lee

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

—1 John 3:18

To Ben and all the other service dogs like him who assist their military handlers on a daily basis. You truly inspire.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN Dear Reader Extract Copyright

My stories would fall flat without real-life people sharing their experiences with me. They are the true heroes behind the stories. I want to especially thank Dennis Theodore Swols, SSG United States Army. His honesty in answering my many questions about post-traumatic stress disorder as well as the amazing service dogs that have helped him in his daily life are what brought the emotions to the page. Thank you, Dennis, and thank you to your dog, Ben, too. What a blessing you have both been to my story and my life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text RACE AGAINST TIME Lacey Phillips believes Captain Wade Spencer knows something about her brother’s mysterious death. So she throws caution to the wind and tracks him down on Christmas Eve looking for answers. Wade tries to turn her away—until bullets start to fly. He doesn’t want to take the stubborn beauty on his life-or-death mission to find out the truth about how Wade’s past may have cost her brother his life. But with killers lurking everywhere, he has to protect her—especially when she breaches the walls around his heart. Can Wade and his faithful service dog keep Lacey alive long enough to figure out who’s targeting them? ROADS TO DANGER: Family secrets resurface

Introduction “Someone is trying to kill you… “If you knew that then,” Wade continued, “would you have stayed home?” Lacey looked at him. “No. My brother’s dead. I won’t stop until I know why.” “I already told you. Because of me.” “Those guys out there weren’t sent by you. There’s more to the story. More than you even know.” “The story of my life. Ever since I found out my mother’s aliases, I’ve been living that reality.” “This is more than just finding out if your mother was a spy, isn’t it?” When Wade hesitated she said, “Please. We could be killed any second. Honesty is all we have left.” He nodded. “But that’s all you’re going to get out of me. Talking only gets people killed. I get people killed.” “But you rescued your sister—” “Don’t.” He captured her gaze. His eyes glittered. “Don’t make me into some hero. I opened my mouth, and she was almost killed. And the next time, your brother paid the price.” His gaze darkened. “And if I can’t fix this, you’re next.”

About the Author KATY LEE writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader—from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on. Visit Katy at katyleebooks.com .

Title Page Silent Night Pursuit Katy Lee www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. —1 John 3:18

Dedication To Ben and all the other service dogs like him who assist their military handlers on a daily basis. You truly inspire.

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN Dear Reader Extract Copyright My stories would fall flat without real-life people sharing their experiences with me. They are the true heroes behind the stories. I want to especially thank Dennis Theodore Swols, SSG United States Army. His honesty in answering my many questions about post-traumatic stress disorder as well as the amazing service dogs that have helped him in his daily life are what brought the emotions to the page. Thank you, Dennis, and thank you to your dog, Ben, too. What a blessing you have both been to my story and my life.

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

ONE

“In point two miles, your destination will be on your left,” the GPS’s mechanical voice spoke into the tension-filled interior of the old Honda Beat roadster. Lacey Phillips stole a quick glance at her rearview mirror. Blinding headlights from the car on her tail suggested she might not make it those point two miles. If this guy came any closer, she could be spending her Christmas Eve in a snowy New Hampshire ditch instead.